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Hello everyone. I'm considering getting myself a new flamenco blanca guitar. My price range is up to $2,000. I'm settled on a Marlon Navarro Alvarez blanca student model. My latest guitar was a Juan Montes 135M and the playability was not comfortable, not only but, specially due to its relatively high action. Moreover, the notes around the 12th fret sound unclear. So, it's about time I get a new guitar. I'm in favor of the Navarro because of their low-action and playability and of course, they sound amazing. I've done my research and the reviews mostly say You Can't Go Wrong with a Navarro. I've never tried one and I believe I have to order my guitar online because unfortunately, no flamenco guitar shops in my country, which is why I'm asking for advice here. I'm welcome to alternatives if you believe I should get another guitar with reasoning.
RE: Purchasing a New Guitar Advice (in reply to Haltaqi)
I wouldn't want to modify my Juan Montes because I'm planning on selling it anyways. Now, I'm curious why Hermanos Sanchis over the Navarro? Today I listened to some video playing Sanchis Solea, 2F, and 1F Extra. I noticed from their specifications that they all have a pretty balanced low action however, in most videos I hear so much buzzing produced. I still like how the Navarro sounds more than the Sanchis models. I've found a couple of reasonably priced Hmos Sanchiz:
Posts: 503
Joined: Jun. 14 2014
From: Encinitas, CA USA
RE: Purchasing a New Guitar Advice (in reply to Haltaqi)
Navarro’s or any other guitar can have a lot of variability. Some may sound great others not so much. My teacher has a high end Navarro that isn’t so great. One of his students has a Navarro Reyes model that is much nicer. If you are going to get a Navarro I would consider the Reyes model.
Also check websites like Mundo and Solera Flamenco
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Ah well, there was a fantastic passion there, in my case anyway. I discovered flamenco very early on. It grips you in a way that you can't get away - Paco Pena
RE: Purchasing a New Guitar Advice (in reply to Haltaqi)
Late to this thread but I too have a Juan Montes with the same problem. Mine is the 36 Arce model which has flamed maple back/sides and spruce top. It is a gorgeous guitar but the play-ability and sound are basically ruined by its high action. What is strange is the nut at the bridge is already too low to even sand down as well. It seems that many of the Juan Montes guitars suffer from this action issue.
RE: Purchasing a New Guitar Advice (in reply to La Jirafa)
quote:
It is a gorgeous guitar but the play-ability and sound are basically ruined by its high action. What is strange is the nut at the bridge is already too low to even sand down as well.
How high is the action at the 12th fret and at the bridge? I think if you're a beginner, string height over the fretboard is more important than at the bridge. I started practicing on a classical guitar with 12mm action at the bridge. Still no problem for me.
RE: Purchasing a New Guitar Advice (in reply to La Jirafa)
Jirafa,
Two things cause the condition you mention: the neck is rising or the top is sinking. A photo from the side and down the neck would be helpful.
Not much one can do with a failing top without pulling the back and redoing the bracing; considered sacrilege by some and the guitar will not sound the same....
The fixing the neck involves pulling the frets taking some material off the nut end of the fretboard and then referring. About 4-8 hours depending on a few factors. It's posable the neck will continue to pull up though if there is a structural weakness in the design.
A lot of luthiers are looking for work right about now I imagine. Where are you located and perhaps someone can recommend one close to your location? In the states we can mail a guitar so that might be an option seeing as a walkabout is out of the question these days :/
HR
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I prefer my flamenco guitar spicy, doesn't have to be fast, should have some meat on the bones, can be raw or well done, as long as it doesn't sound like it's turning green on an elevator floor.
RE: Purchasing a New Guitar Advice (in reply to devilhand)
devilhand,
Last time it was measured was a couple of months ago. I was with my teacher and we both laughed at how high the action at the 12th fret was compared to his Culpepper. I cant remember the exact number off the top of my head though.
RE: Purchasing a New Guitar Advice (in reply to ernandez R)
ernandez r,
I'm in the greater Boston area, but I decided a while back that I would invest my money into a better guitar rather than take a gamble on if it could be fixed at the moment. I do plan on having the Juan Montes looked at sometime in the future though.
RE: Purchasing a New Guitar Advice (in reply to Haltaqi)
Surely the choice should depend on the quality of the guitar and its suitability for the purchaser rather than, primarily, the name of the brand or maker. We all know guitars tend to very a lot, even from the same stable. What are the protections one can seek when buying on line is the only option? Can one hear and see the guitar and perhaps find a friendly, respected expert to choose one on the purchaser’s behalf?
RE: Purchasing a New Guitar Advice (in reply to Ricardo)
quote:
ORIGINAL: Ricardo
Sanchis is a real Flamenco guitar, I wouldn’t hesitate to use one in a concert. I have not tried Navarro to compare.
Here is Sanchis solea model
The singer couldn't help smiling. Or his facial expression is always like that? Looks like Mr. Marlow offered him an alcoholic drink to break the ice. More thumb work would have been cooler. Bulerias de Moron or de Jerez?
RE: Purchasing a New Guitar Advice (in reply to La Jirafa)
The Juan Montes suffers from a common problem - incorrect neck angle and geometry for a flamenco. Sanchis gets this correct most of the time. I assume Navarro does as well never played one.
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